Los Angeles favored by 5.5 against Denver on Friday

Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Odds

8-8TEAM RECORD7-8

The Lakers will look to boost their win total and cover the spread when the Nuggets tip off at STAPLES Center on Friday in NBA play.

The Nuggets will try to spoil to the party on Friday; they are 10-6 ATS against the number this season, while the Lakers are 6-9 ATS. (Note: follow us on Twitter for line updates and injuries news). Denver is 8-8 on the totals; Los Angeles is 8-7.

Betting Line:Sportsbooks such as 5Dimes had set the Lakers as 5.5-point favorites on the opening line for this contest. The total was listed earler at 206.5, but may be on the move at Bovada and other top sites.

Power Rankings / Prediction:The Lakers - Nuggets odds would favor the Nuggets if the lines were set according to power ranks. Los Angeles is rated No. 5 in our latest Odds Shark poll, while the Nuggets sit at No. 4. Math models based on recent stats and predictive formulas point to a 102-99 win for the Lakers.

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How They Match Up:In rebounding, the battle of the boards features Los Angeles's No. 3-rated squad against Denver's No. 2-rated roster. When it comes to long-range shooting, Los Angeles rates No. 9 in the league with 7.9 per game, while their foes tonight rank No. 20 with 6.2 per outing.

Defensively, the Nuggets feature the league's No. 24-rated defense on the road, giving up 102.4 points per game. Los Angeles, meanwhile, comes in at No. 16 in the league in scoring at home.

In their last action, Denver was a 106-105 loser on the road against the Warriors. They failed to cover the 1.5-point spread as favorites, while the combined score (211) was profitable news for OVER bettors. Denver suffered a 106-105 loss against Golden State on Thursday, getting 22 points from Andre Iguodala in a losing effort at Oracle Arena.

Last time out for Los Angeles, they were a 79-77 loser as they battled the Pacers at home. The Lakers failed to cover in the match as a 9-point favorite, while 156 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors. Los Angeles got 40 points from Kobe Bryant en route to a 79-77 loss at the hands of Los Angeles on Tuesday at STAPLES Center.

Denver Nuggets Trends:When playing on Friday are 7-3Before playing Toronto are 6-4After playing Golden State are 8-2After a loss are 4-6

Los Angeles Lakers Trends:When playing on Friday are 4-6Before playing Orlando are 7-3After playing Indiana are 7-3After a loss are 5-5

A few Nuggets at Lakers trends to consider:The total has gone OVER in 6 of Denver's last 7 games on the roadThe total has gone UNDER in 10 of Denver's last 13 games when playing LA LakersThe total has gone UNDER in 6 of Denver's last 8 games when playing on the road against LA LakersDenver is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games LA Lakers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against DenverThe total has gone UNDER in 10 of the LA Lakers last 13 games when playing DenverLA Lakers are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games at homeThe total has gone UNDER in 6 of the LA Lakers last 8 games when playing at home against Denver

Next up:Denver home to Toronto, Monday, December 3LA Lakers home to Orlando, Sunday, December 2

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